Page:Beasts at Law, 1811.djvu/21

The acts were two, distinct in feature,
But just the same in grade and nature.
Perhaps no crimes more common are,
But still, the fame of this affair
Has spread so wide, that every beast
Must feel a little queer, at least.
No doubt, my lord, that some in court,
Are prejudiced by mere report;
Those, in particular, who know
Of circumstances, long ago,
In which this Dog was implicated,
And justly, too, I've heard it stated.
But still, my lord, we would assure you,
And allthe Bulls upon the jury,
That we most earnestly desire
Your prejudices may expire;
Your prepossessions be discarded,
And nought but fact and truth regarded.
I only make these observations,
Because so many false relations
Are handed round, about the fact,
As puzzles reason how to act.
I therefore, as becomes my station,
Request a fair investigation,
Impartial, candid, and complete,
And then I'm sure of Dog's defeat.
"It will turn out in evidence,
That Canis, prior to this offence,
Was guardian of a certain flock.
And, what may well your lordship shock,
The plaintiff was a member there,
And fed beneath his watchful care.